Food Blog: Your ULTIMATE Valentine's day foodie guide

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Your ULTIMATE Valentine's day foodie guide

I couldn't be more excited to introduce these. I've wanted a healthier Nutella alternative for eleven years, and I finally have one. The peanut butter is the perfect mix of smooth and crunchy, perfectly spreadable yet chunky, with a nice sprinkling of salt and a slow roast for extra flavour. Plus, we've got the most delicious roasted almond butter with ginger, cinnamon and vanilla. Available to buy in Waitrose and on our web shop now!

This creamy comforting pasta dish is ready in under 30 minutes. Perfectly balanced, it contains fibre, healthy fats and over 30g plant-based protein, helping to keep you energised and ready for a busy week.

SERVES: 2

1½ cups / 5.3 oz pasta (we used oat rigatoni)

1 medium white onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 cups / 7 oz kale, stalks removed & finely chopped

1 x 14 oz tin butter beans, drained & rinsed

FOR THE SAUCE

¼ cup / 1 oz cashews

¼ cup / 1 oz sunflower seeds

1 clove garlic, peeled

⅔ cup / 5.3 oz plant-based milk

½ lemon, juiced

2 tbsp nutritional yeast

TOTAL TIME: 30mins

STEP 1

Place a medium pan of water over medium–high heat and bring to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and pour in the pasta. Cook according to the packet instructions (until the pasta is al dente), then drain, reserving a mugful of the cooking liquid.

STEP 2

Meanwhile, place the cashews and sunflower seeds into a medium bowl and cover with freshly boiled water. Set aside to soak.

STEP 3

While the pasta is cooking and the cashews and sunflower seeds are soaking, place a frying pan over medium–high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the kale and butter beans and cook for a further 2 minutes.

STEP 4

Drain the cashews and sunflower seeds. Place them into a blender or NutriBullet with ½ of the mixture from the frying pan. Add the garlic, plant-based milk, lemon juice and nutritional yeast. Blend until smooth and creamy.

STEP 5

Pour the creamy sauce onto the cooked pasta with the cooked kale, onions and butter beans. Stir to combine, adding a splash of reserved pasta cooking liquid if necessary.

Most of us have likely heard the argument that plant-based diets don't provide sufficient protein. However, no matter whether you're fully plant-based or simply trying to fit more plants into your diet, there's no need to worry — it's completely possible to meet your protein needs with a well-planned plant-based diet that's full of variety.

Protein is an important macronutrient needed by the body to grow and repair. It's involved in many processes, including supporting energy, and helping to maintain immune function, balance hormones and produce brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The good news is that there's a wide variety of plant-based proteins that can be included in your diet. Our top sources include: quinoa, beans, lentils, chickpeas, edamame, tofu and tempeh.

We've put together a collection of high-protein recipes that prove that a well-planned plant-based meal — that combines protein, complex carbohydrates, fibre and healthy fats — can leave you feeling satisfied, full of energy and flourishing.